Ex-salesman Bertrand emerges as right's challenger for French presidency

FILE PHOTO: Xavier Bertrand, Les Republicains (LR) conservative party candidate for Hauts-de-France region, reacts to the results of the second round of French regional and departmental elections, in Saint-Quentin, France, June 27. 2021. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - Xavier Bertrand, a one-time insurance salesman from the French provinces, established himself as a leading contender for next year's presidential election, after his centre-right bloc out-performed rivals in regional votes at the weekend.

The results shook up the political landscape, turning the 2022 election from what had been seen by many observers as a two-horse race between President Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen into a three way contest.